Jack Wilshere in Arsenal Contract Limbo

Despite being one of the most exciting young players of his generation, few expected to reach this point. Jack Wilshere, once a genuine world-class potential talent, is now 26. With his contract with Arsenal up at the end of the season, the Arsenal youth prospect might be out the door. After their impressive 2-0 win at the San Siro, the midfielder was open when speaking to the press afterward about where his negotiations are at: with negative connotations.

Speaking to The Daily Mirror after the game, Wilshere was pretty clear about where he stood at present, saying: “All I can tell you is that we are no closer to sorting anything out.”

With the club handing out massive contract increases to the likes of Mesut Ozil as well as the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Arsenal seemingly want to reduce their wage bill. Wilshere, unwilling to take a wage cut from his previous contract, wants to see more from the club before committing.

Aaron Ramsey, too, is in a similar situation. The Welshman, now seeing the club smash its old wage structure, wants to see his performances in the side rewarded in kind. With 29 appearances for Wilshere so far this season, and with a string of decent performances, the idea of Wilshere staying at Arsenal no longer seems quite such an unrealistic proposition.

Before that can happen, though, either player or club will need to change their stance on contract negotiations.